THSCC Forums

Yeah, it sucks in STX, but I DO miss driving the mustang in autox's.... I could go back to FS, but I REALLY hate the ride height of stock springs. If I didn't weigh so freaking much I'd consider a kart, but there's no way I can loose 50lbs. The upside is there wouldn't be a head room issue

_________________
Rodney

'08 Bullitt mustang, CAM 7
Autox VP '09-'10, President '11-'12, interim President 2nd half of ‘14
proud recipient of the Bowie Grey service award '12
Now just a guy driving a mustang....

Rodney. That is why I went with the "fatboy" icc engine. It has a weight penalty for us "healthy" people. you like the 3 drive it. No big deal.

_________________
[color=#FFFFFF][/color]http://www.usedmiatapartsonline.com for all your used miata parts needs
http://www.wagnersauto.com for your salvage needs
2000 miata se Estreet,going to rally
2004 mazdaspeed miata bsp #77
shifter kart also(someone buy this $1500)

Well, let's put all of this in perspective. I had EVERY intention of selling the mustang last year and that's why I picked up Matt's 3, good DD and HS stock car. I was going to keep the 325 bimmer and drive the 3. After having the mustang for sale for almost 11 weeks and receiving 1 lowball email, I decided I'd keep the mustang but also wanted try my hand at autox'g a FWD car. Besides that, I'd already sold off all of the mustang suspension parts to Stephen.

When I pulled the mustang from being sold, something had to go, so I sold the 325. If that car had a 5 speed, I'd still have it, but the slushbox wasn't that much fun. Right now I have both the mustang and 3. Considering the choice of the 2 cars and the current situation w/ new classing, I'm really leaning back to the mustang. Let's face it, I like drifting that car and I think after driving FWD vs RWD, my pref is RWD from a fun factor. It also has a new clutch pack in the rear diff, so it's nice and tight again.

In thinking about it, I do have the stock wheels for the mustang sitting under the house, so while heavy, I do have a set of wheels I could use. So that leaves me w/ the following choices...

Mazda: Purchase tires and camber plates
Mustang: Purchase tires and sways

hummmmmm.....

I think it's time to sell of some of the crap under the house and free up some money. I have 2 sets of mazda wheels I could sell along w/ a set of mini wheels and vdub wheels. Plus I might be able to tap Jordan for some co-driver cash. I asked if he was interested in driving the mustang and he's in.

Lot's of time to think on this, still have 6 months of contemplation to go....

_________________
Rodney

'08 Bullitt mustang, CAM 7
Autox VP '09-'10, President '11-'12, interim President 2nd half of ‘14
proud recipient of the Bowie Grey service award '12
Now just a guy driving a mustang....

Figures, I went back to 2008. Point to Brice/Rodney is granted. But, as Jeremy pointed out, HS has been consistently faster (at nationals) than GS since the Cooper S got booted to DS (and overnight, the Cooper S went from spec class to not-appearing-in-this-show).

"So you're telling me there's a chance---yeah!"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KX5jNnDMfxA

Seriously, don't make sudden car buying/selling moves if you're in Street class. Wait to see what shakes out, then re-assess.

Of course, if it means bringing back the Bullitt then I'm all for it!

_________________
Steve Carter
1972 Datsun 240Z-- resto pics at http://picasaweb.google.com/srcartermd
2007 GPW Honda S2000-- STR 86

Me do anything rash? <rubbing hands> Bahhaahahaa

All of this is a knee jerk reaction to the classing change, you know me and cars, it's always emotional.... Like I said I've got time to thunk on this. Bringing the bullitt back out to play wouldn't be a bad thing as far as I can tell. It already has some STX mods on it now.... not a lot I'd have to do to it.

_________________
Rodney

'08 Bullitt mustang, CAM 7
Autox VP '09-'10, President '11-'12, interim President 2nd half of ‘14
proud recipient of the Bowie Grey service award '12
Now just a guy driving a mustang....

Steven, I now see you in a whole new light. :tup:

_________________
Apparently, I'm the resident VW apologist.

The speed 3 was a awful to autox even with r comps. I think you'll have to spend a lot of time and money to make the standard 3 "less awful.":P Brice spent quite a bit of time setting his up and then drove it every chance he got to get fast in his.

_________________
Silver Honda
Green Ford
Blue/White Suzuki
Red Triumph
Grey BMW

"Never let life be shaped by fear of its end"

No, you're a towel!

The speed3 is miserable to AX b/c all the added power can't really be put down, and all the added weight is exactly where it doesn't need it (over the nose). 18" anchors for wheels doesn't help either. I'd rather AX a regualr 3 than a speed3 (its almost 500 lbs heavier!). Sure it would murder a standard 3 on track, but I'm not so sure its a better autocross car. The main advantage is the LSD. The power doesn't really do much and the suspension setup isn't much of an improvement.

Mine was hardly "set up" (Rodney's is better set up than mine ever was IMO). I ran it for a long time with intake, rear sway bar, and 17x7 wheels in STS/ST, then decided to make it stock legal. My prep for stock class consisted only of a front sway bar, drop in air filter, and koni yellows (SA) to go with 225 R comps all around (Hankooks, not hoosiers b/c I was cheap). I think I could have had something for Grab and Go in the mini if I'd gone with staggered hoosiers (245 front/ 225 rear) and maybe added an exhaust and sorted the alignment better.

FWIW, having driven Rodney's Bullit at a setup day once and driven mine and Rodney's 3, count me as crazy too. I'd rather AX the 3. I guess I'm just a FWD hack, but I have more fun in a lighter, nimbler car, even if it IS FWD and lower hp.

_________________
2012 MX-5 Sport SUV

Counter argument:

I made the GRAVE mistake of instructing a novice in a C5ZO6 on A6's last Sat at CP. I should have never EVER done that. Even when he made mistakes and turned the wheel it just went that way and took off, like a ROCKET.

I refuse to go look how cheap they have come down in price. I just can't do it

_________________
2005 Mazda RX8 STX 11

NCR Solo Chair & Cape Fear Chapter Coordinator
http://www.ncrscca.com

You can do it!!!

Brice, I'm not going to say what came to mind when I read what you typed there, but yeah, you are that.

_________________
'07, '08, '11 Autocross VP
'06, '10 Mike Dishman Cup
'21 MX5, '13 Corvette GS, '92 Corvette 383 c.i. 413whp/390wtq, '03 Expedition

Would I rather drive a Corvette than a 3, hell yes I would. I love the way a C5Z06 handles. There is a big difference between a mustang and a corvette. Both have big powerful V8's but that is about where the similarities end. A corvette is a better handling car than the 3 hands down, to go along with its massive power advantage. A mustang is not IMO.

_________________
2012 MX-5 Sport SUV

The Speed 3 was a flat out bust. They were terrible even in Grand Am. Mazda should have stuffed that motor in a Miata. I drove a friends for a week and although fast it had poor manners.

Kevin and I made the decision to put kuhmo v710s on his Vette this year and it was the right one for local autoxing. They never get fully to temp so the grip isn't as good as it could be, but that also means great wear. We can probably get two years out of a set doing only autoxes with thscc. The Vette handles great but it's really wide and that can slow you down in sections.

I don't think the tire argument is valid for the hs/gs merger. The tires will morph back to where they are now in sizes and grip. Do you honestly think Hoosier is going to give up on the spec tire market they have now? It won't matter nationally but it will hurt locally with people running older or odd ball crap cans. Cars like a Chevrolet Cavalier .

_________________
2006 Civic Si - #24 HS for 2015

2005 GMC Sierra
1991 318is Garage Ornament